Pre-Christmas

For the first time in four years, our December was once again filled with finals. In the few weeks before Christmas we took every opportunity between study breaks and finals themselves to spread some Christmas cheer.

Spencer discovered how to climb in drawers, much like his older brother (you'll have to scroll down...for the picture).

Tanner discovered self-portraits.  There are several of these bad boys on all camera items in our home

11 Months!

Spencer really grew a personality.  He is such a fun, happy kid.  He loves playing peek-a-boo and hiding in my hair.  He pulls strands over his face and thinks he is fully hidden.  He is the master climber and loves pulling up on everything. 

One morning, I went to grab something and turned around to find the bathroom door closed and music playing.  Spencer had crawled into the dark bathroom and was playing his guitar with the door closed.  He was so upset I found him and messed up his jam session. 

The interrupted jam session

Christmas tree shopping

Thanks to the Target dollar spot - we decorated snowflakes one morning.  Tanner would only put blue pompoms on the blue snowflakes and the other colors went on the white snowflakes.  Too bad we hung them up later that day and I went back to find all the pompoms had been picked off by The-Boy-Who-Shall-Remain-Nameless.

Please note the blue snowflake.  OCD tendencies like his mother are developing - not good.

Happy Boy!

Supervising the snowflake action

You probably can't tell, but Tanner put a slice of a cutie on every chicken nugget...then ate them together

Opening our Christmas Package from Grandpa C. and Aunt Donetta

The Friday before finals we headed to Salt Lake to see the Temple Square Lights.  Tanner and Spencer loved them, except for some pictures.  It was so cold though!

Father and Son

Me and My Buddies

My Boys...Spencer was a little sleepy by this point

More self-portraits.  Tanner would take the camera and say "Say Cheese.  Cheese."  Hilarious!

Joseph Smith Memorial Building Christmas Tree

Keeping warm in the stroller

The next morning we woke early and went to the Ward Christmas Breakfast.  We got to visit with a Jolly Ol' Guy. 

Obviously, my boys love Santa

Both are now looking for their escape routes

And just because we hadn't see enough of the Jolly Man called Santa, we ventured to an outdoor shopping mall and saw their lights and Santa again.

Spencer seeking escape. 

Everyone on Santa's Lap

And then we had finals week.  Lowell was stressed.  I was stressed.  You get the picture.  Also, the Thursday of finals week I was in charge of the program for our RS Christmas Dinner.  It was a fun week.  :)  I am happy to report my program went off without a hitch and Lowell conquered finals week excellently - only 3 finals weeks to go!

Before heading to Idaho for Christmas, we had to get pictures with our tree.  Please note the lack of decoration at the bottom of the tree.  Some little boys can't keep their hands off shiny ornaments. 

Spencer's First Christmas Tree

We then headed to Idaho where the week before Christmas was filled with sick kids - fevers and ear infections in all 3 grandkids because my sister's daughter was ill too.  Luckily everyone was recovered for the big day.